Lake churches expecting crowds for Thanksgiving meals

November 22, 2010|By Rosemarie Dowell, SPECIAL TO THE ORLANDO SENTINEL

A host of churches across Lake County are bracing for an onslaught of hungry bellies and lonely hearts come Thanksgiving Day.

From Eustis to Clermont and communities in between, congregations are betting the poor economy and high unemployment rate will boost the number of people seeking free meals and friendly faces this year.

"We had a record number of people last year," said Betsy Wolfer, organizer of First United Methodist Church of Eustis' annual Thanksgiving Meal, now in its 11th year. "But this year we're expecting even more because of the bad economy."

Wolfer has spent the past several weeks preparing dozens of turkeys and a bevy of holiday pies and other dishes for an expected crowd of up to 1,200 people.

Last year, the church served 1,000 meals, said Wolfer, a far cry from the 200 meals volunteers cooked during their inaugural community meal. In all, 45 turkeys, 85 pies and 35 cakes will be baked this year.

Residents of south Lake can also find a free holiday meal and fellowship at First United Methodist Church of Clermont.

"We're prepared to serve up to 2,000 meals," said Carissa Latham, director of communications. "Anyone is welcome, whether they're hungry or just want to have some fellowship," Latham said.

In Howey-in-the-Hills, the Howey Community Church will serve its first free Thanksgiving meal.

"We wanted to reach out to the community and let them know we cared," said Rosie Hawthorne, a church member who is organizing the effort.

Thanksgiving meal sites

Here are places people who have no place to go on Thanksgiving can get a free holiday meal.

•First United Methodist Church of Eustis, 600 S. Grove St., Eustis, is serving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. Residents can either eat in the fellowship hall or take home a meal. Shut-ins can also arrange to have a meal delivered by calling 352-483-3638.

•Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, 505 S. Bay St., Eustis, is serving from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. Diners can eat in the fellowship hall or opt to take a dinner home with them. The church will also deliver meals to area shut-ins through prearrangements. Details: 352-357-6424.

•First United Methodist Church of Clermont, 950 Seventh St., is serving from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at its Wesley Center, between Seventh and Eighth streets.

•Howey Community Church, 420 N. Palm Ave, Howey-in-the-Hills, is serving from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 352-742-4528 or 352-638-6185. Meals are available to take home but need to be requested ahead of time.

•Lake Square Presbyterian Church, Radio Road and Morningside Drive, Leesburg, is serving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. Organizers are preparing enough food to serve up to 200 people. Reservations, which are requested, can be made by calling the church office at 352-728-1620.